Star-Ledger file photoIlya Kovalchuk could make a decision today on whether he will re-sign with the Devils.

Unless another NHL team has entered the battle to sign unrestricted free agent Ilya Kovalchuk, it appears the Devils remain the favorites to land the Russian left winger.

At this point, the Devils are still waiting to hear Kovalchuk's decision, which could come down to staying in New Jersey or playing in the KHL in Russia.

"Everything is status quo," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said today. "There is nothing new today."

Lamoriello did not want to comment on the state of talks with agent Jay Grossman.

Kovalchuk seems to be weighing his options, which may be fewer than most anticipated. If the Devils have made a firm offer, it could be for less than Kovalchuk had wanted.

The Islanders have apparently dropped out of the Kovalchuk sweepstakes and never did put an offer on the table. Islanders GM Garth Snow confirmed that he did talk to Grossman.

"I'd rather keep those conversations between Jay and myself," Snow told Newsday.

Snow also told the Long Island newspaper: "When there are top free agents available, we're going to go after them. Obviously, if we make the call, we have interest. We have interest in the top free agents now and we will in the future."

The Devils have less than $4.5 million in cap space available. They could sign Kovalchuk and go over the cap limit, but would have to shed enough salary by opening day in October. Lamoriello suggested the team's cap situation is not a problem as far as signing Kovalchuk.